Clyde police chief suspended, but keeps job

Clyde Police Chief Gerard Ball won’t return to work until Oct. 5 after the Clyde Board of Aldermen decided to suspend him without pay.

Following a three-hour discussion, the town board voted unanimously last Wednesday (Sept. 4) to suspend Ball for 30 days for “personal misconduct” related to his job, though they would not go into more detail because it is a personnel matter.

“We just aren’t at liberty to release that,” said Town Administrator Joy Garland, who has received a few emails from the public asking for more information.

In the meantime, Captain Mike Lindsay will serve as interim chief.

Ball was placed on suspension the prior Friday, waiting for the Board of Aldermen to meet and decide whether to keep him or fire him. Ball will be placed on probation for one year. During that time, the town can fire him without warning if the leaders find his work or conduct unsatisfactory.

Ball was hired a little more than a year ago after the previous chief, Derek Dendy, was fired for personal misconduct. When each officer is hired, they are automatically on a one-year probation. Ball’s probation period just ended this July.